Alexa Davalos is also said to be reading for the role - a tough female lawyer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actress has appeared in action films including Clash of the Titans and The Chronicles of Riddick.

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Rosamund Pike first hit the mainstream as a Bond girl in Die Another Day, and has since appeared in supporting roles in the likes of An Education, Surrogates and Doom.

Atwell appeared recently as the female lead in Captain America: The First Avenger. She has also starred in Brideshead Revisited and The Duchess.

Brit Marling was reportedly also reading for the role, but has since dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

Christopher McQuarrie will write and direct the adaptation. Production is set to begin this autumn for a release date of 2013.